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What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults): Understanding the Foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing

Author

Listed:
  • Gail Garvey

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
    School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4000, Australia
    Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
    Gail Garvey and Kate Anderson are joint first authors.)

  • Kate Anderson

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
    Gail Garvey and Kate Anderson are joint first authors.)

  • Alana Gall

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia)

  • Tamara L. Butler

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia)

  • Joan Cunningham

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia)

  • Lisa J. Whop

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
    National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Michelle Dickson

    (Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

  • Julie Ratcliffe

    (Health and Social Care Economics Group, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia)

  • Alan Cass

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia)

  • Allison Tong

    (Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

  • Brian Arley

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia)

  • Kirsten Howard

    (Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
    Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
    Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience a greater range of health and social disadvantages compared to other Australians. Wellbeing is a culturally-bound construct, and to date, a national evidence base around the components of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is lacking. Understanding and measurement of wellbeing for this population is critical in achieving health equity. This paper aims to identify and describe the foundations of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. This national qualitative study was underpinned by an Indigenist research approach which privileges the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults were purposively recruited from around Australia between September 2017 and September 2018 to participate in Yarning Circles, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. Yarning Circles were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed. A Collaborative Yarning Methodology was used, which incorporated reflexive thematic analysis to identify and describe the foundations of wellbeing reported by participants. A total of 359 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults participated. Our analysis revealed five foundations of wellbeing: belonging and connection; holistic health; purpose and control; dignity and respect; and basic needs. These foundations were deeply interwoven by three interconnected aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life: family, community and culture. The findings of this study will substantially aid our efforts to develop a new wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The iterative Indigenist methods used in this study provide a robust research methodology for conducting large-scale, nationally-relevant qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Policies and practices that are informed by our results have the potential to address outcomes that are meaningful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Suggested Citation

  • Gail Garvey & Kate Anderson & Alana Gall & Tamara L. Butler & Joan Cunningham & Lisa J. Whop & Michelle Dickson & Julie Ratcliffe & Alan Cass & Allison Tong & Brian Arley & Kirsten Howard, 2021. "What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults): Understanding the Foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6193-:d:570854
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daphne Habibis, 2013. "Australian Housing Policy, Misrecognition and Indigenous Population Mobility," Housing Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(5), pages 764-781, July.
    2. Mandy Yap & Eunice Yu, 2016. "Operationalising the capability approach: developing culturally relevant indicators of indigenous wellbeing – an Australian example," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 315-331, July.
    3. Yin Paradies, 2016. "Colonisation, racism and indigenous health," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 83-96, March.
    4. Yin Paradies, 2016. "Erratum to: Colonisation, racism and indigenous health," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 197-197, June.
    5. Nicholas Biddle, 2015. "Indigenous Income, Wellbeing and Behaviour: Some Policy Complications," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 34(3), pages 139-149, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Darren Garvey & Ken Carter & Kate Anderson & Alana Gall & Kirsten Howard & Jemma Venables & Karen Healy & Lea Bill & Angeline Letendre & Michelle Dickson & Gail Garvey, 2024. "Understanding the Wellbeing Needs of First Nations Children in Out-of-Home Care in Australia: A Comprehensive Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Amal Chakraborty & Emma Walke & Roxanne Bainbridge & Ross Bailie & Veronica Matthews & Sarah Larkins & Paul Burgess & Deborah Askew & Erika Langham & Samantha Smorgon & Girish Swaminathan & Danielle C, 2022. "VOICE–Validating Outcomes by Including Consumer Experience: A Study Protocol to Develop a Patient Reported Experience Measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Accessing Primary Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Elaina Elder-Robinson & Abbey Diaz & Kirsten Howard & Darshit Rajeshkumar Parikh & Giam Kar & Gail Garvey, 2021. "Quality of Life in the First Year of Cancer Diagnosis among Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal People Living in Regional and Remote Areas of Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Kalinda Griffiths & Abbey Diaz & Lisa J. Whop & Joan Cunningham, 2021. "The Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples around the Globe: Ensuring and Promoting Best Practice in Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Kate Anderson & Elaina Elder-Robinson & Alana Gall & Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse & Michele Connolly & Angeline Letendre & Esther Willing & Zaine Akuhata-Huntington & Kirsten Howard & Michelle Dickson , 2022. "Aspects of Wellbeing for Indigenous Youth in CANZUS Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-44, October.
    6. Stephen R. J. Tsuji & Aleksandra M. Zuk & Andrew Solomon & Ruby Edwards-Wheesk & Fatima Ahmed & Leonard J. S. Tsuji, 2023. "What Is Wellbeing, and What Is Important for Wellbeing? Indigenous Voices from across Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-35, August.
    7. Gail Garvey & Kate Anderson & Alana Gall & Tamara L. Butler & Lisa J. Whop & Brian Arley & Joan Cunningham & Michelle Dickson & Alan Cass & Julie Ratcliffe & Allison Tong & Kirsten Howard, 2021. "The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.

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